[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DISTRICT DIRECTOR BRIAN McDONALD AND THE MINNESOTA OFFICE 
                  OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Brian McDonald and his 
entire team at the Small Business Administration's Minnesota District 
Office.
  In May 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic, Brian took on an 
enormous challenge when he rose to the role of district director for 
the SBA's Minnesota region.
  Brian and his team were charged with supporting Minnesota's 500,000 
small businesses and their 1.3 million employees through one of the 
most challenging economic crises in our Nation's history. Under Brian's 
leadership, the SBA's Minnesota district office team facilitated 
critical loans, provided valuable training, and served as true warrior 
advocates for businesses of all sizes during this difficult time.
  At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, Brian and I hosted a joint 
town hall where he helped my constituents understand how they could 
keep their small businesses afloat. Brian's participation was crucial, 
and his willingness to offer guidance and expertise is characteristic 
of his office's impressive work throughout the crisis.
  Brian and his team in the SBA's Minnesota district office continue to 
work around the clock to help businesses in our State survive. We are 
grateful for all of their work, and we are fortunate to have such a 
dedicated SBA district presence in our State. I thank them for all they 
do.


    Congratulating Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year Angie 
                            Charboneau-Folch

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Angie 
Charboneau-Folch, assistant principal at Big Lake High School.
  In April, Angie was named this year's Minnesota Assistant Principal 
of the Year by the Central Minnesota Association of Secondary School 
Principals. She received this honor after 15 years of service as a 
school administrator, including a decade at Big Lake.
  Angie has been a longtime advocate for both students and educators 
during her tenure. As leader of Big Lake High School's Student Targeted 
Instruction and Goals program, better known as STING, she has ensured 
that students receive the additional instruction time and support they 
need. She has also worked to open the channels of communication between 
teachers and families through her Being Your Own Champion initiative.
  I congratulate Angie on this remarkable achievement. I thank her for 
her years of dedication to the Big Lake community, and I know Minnesota 
students are better off because of her support.


        Honoring the Work and Bravery of HALO Trust Afghanistan

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the bravery 
and sacrifice of the HALO Trust employees who were recently attacked in 
Afghanistan. Earlier this month, 110 demining workers in the 
northeastern Afghanistan province of Baghlan were attacked. Ten HALO 
Trust workers lost their lives and 16 more were injured.
  HALO Trust staff is comprised of locals who work alongside American 
citizens around the world to clear the debris of war, especially 
landmines. Their work is vital in Afghanistan, where nearly 40 years of 
conflict has left the land littered with explosives and citizens living 
under constant threat of detonation. This forces locals to make an 
unimaginable choice: either let their families starve or risk their 
lives to farm dangerous land.
  Thanks to the work of HALO Trust and the entire demining community, 
war-torn nations across the globe are being revitalized. Within the 
Herat province alone, HALO Trust workers have cleared over 600 
minefields and provided steady employment to 2,600 Afghan locals.
  This devastating attack was an act of cowardice from an organization 
that feeds off instability and fear. I commend the profound bravery of 
the workers who face down death to rebuild their communities. I hope 
everyone will join me in recognition of their sacrifice.


               Thanking Tammy Biery and Career Solutions

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tammy Biery, the 
executive director of the employment agency Career Solutions.
  Electrolux had a long legacy in our home State, employing Minnesotans 
since 1946. In 1998, the plant produced 75 percent of all freezers sold 
in the United States.
  In 2018, the business was St. Cloud's eighth largest employer, with 
nearly 900 employees. However, a year later, Electrolux consolidated 
their freezer production to South Carolina. Despite our efforts and the 
efforts of the community urging Electrolux to reconsider, approximately 
760 employees faced layoffs.
  To support these workers who faced separation from employment, Tammy 
and her employment agency, Career Solutions, went to work. After 
receiving an award from the State Dislocated Worker program, Career 
Solutions offered career counseling, on-the-job training, and interview 
coaching to 513 former Electrolux employees. By the end of 2020, 159 of 
those trainees were gainfully employed.
  Thanks to the work of Tammy and the Career Solutions team, St. Cloud 
was able to weather the largest layoff in our history. I thank Tammy 
for that.


                   Teresa Bohnen: A Career of Service

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of 
Teresa Bohnen. Teresa is retiring this year as president of the St. 
Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.
  Teresa led the chamber for the past 23 years. During that time, she 
has been a staunch advocate for small business.
  Under Teresa's leadership, the St. Cloud Area Chamber earned a five-
star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the first year it 
became eligible and has maintained that rating ever since.
  I thank Teresa for her service to St. Cloud, and she should enjoy her 
well-earned retirement.

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